Commuter rail to roll by '07

Like a whistle in the distance, there are already signs that commuter rail will arrive in Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties within the next three years or so.

Just off Gentile Street in Layton, the next proposed stop is to be built on Layton's west side. Layton City economic development specialist Seth Butterfield said the city envisions a mix of residential, commercial and business buildings near the station. "We want to be kind of a scaled-down version of the Gateway (in Salt Lake)," Butterfield said.

The estimated $136 million project would include a pedestrian-friendly shopping area with housing built on top, including senior housing. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2009, Butterfield said.

Some residents have expressed disappointment that UTA has not chosen to use Layton's historic train station about a quarter mile south, but UTA officials said parking is an issue at that site. UTA director of transit development, Mike Allegra, said the historic station property is too small to put in the requisite 750-car parking lot. In addition, a freeway interchange is projected next to the historic station, making it a tight squeeze.

The Clearfield station is expected to serve an estimated 19,000 civil employees at Hill Air Force Base, some 9,500 employees at the Freeport Center and hundreds more at Weber State University's Davis County campus. But getting those passengers to their destinations is still being worked out.

"Hill Field has offered to do their own shuttle service," Packer said, which may solve potential security issues that UTA buses going into the base have encountered in the past. Another shuttle system is being considered to serve Freeport employees. Whether that system would be public or private is yet to be seen.

Ogden has already completed its hub, with bus depots and a center with coffee and sandwich shops.

Meyer said the Roy and Pleasant View stations would primarily act as collectors for those bedroom communities.

Though plans are forging ahead, Allegra said, specifics must await a public comment process, which is expected to take place in early 2004. UTA plans to hold public hearings and to make presentations to city councils. Once the plan has cleared public comment, Allegra said the design process will begin in earnest, followed by construction.